Rovers retained list: Downing departs, as trio remains in talks

Rodwell, Conway and Gladwin in contract talks with Rovers

Rovers have announced their retained list following the 2018/19 season.

Goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler has also had the 12 month option in his deal taken up and the Canadian international is now under contract at the club until 2020.

The club are continuing discussions with Jack Rodwell, Craig Conway and Ben Gladwin whose deals expire at the end of next month.

However, Rovers have confirmed that Paul Downing will leave the club.

Goalkeeper Charlie Albinson, full back Jack Doyle and striker Lewis Mansell will not be retained at the end of their deals, while scholars George Wilson and Kyle Connell are also set to leave.

Rovers agreed contract extensions with a number of their Under-23s squad in recent months, including Charley Doyle, Joe Rankin-Costello and Stefan Mols, while Matty Platt, another whose deal was set to expire this summer, was handed a one year extension last week.

Here is the state of play about each of the senior players out of contract this summer.

JACK RODWELL – Club remain in talks

Rovers have refused to rule out an extended stay for the versatile Rodwell.

The 28-year-old started 16 Championship matches and featured off the bench in a further five having arrived as a free agent in August.

Was used in both central defence and central midfield, and the options he brings to the squad are attributes appreciated by Tony Mowbray.

Has interest from Italy, and will likely assess his options before deciding whether to agreeing to another deal.

CRAIG CONWAY – Club remain in talks

The Scot made his 200th Rovers appearance on the final day against Swansea.

Remains unclear whether that was his farewell outing with his deal up next month.

The 12-month option in the deal last year wasn’t triggered with the 34-year-old having made just nine league starts last season.

But a popular figure around the club, Rovers are still in discussions with Conway who like Rodwell will weigh up other offers.

JAYSON LEUTWILER – Option taken up, under contract until 2020

Finished the season in goal for Rovers with Mowbray wanting to take an extended look at the 30-year-old as he played the final four Championship matches.

Had only made one league appearance before this season, as well as all four FA Cup games last term.

Rovers are expected to add to their goalkeeping department in the summer but Leutwiler is now likely to fight for his place next season, which could allow Andrew Fisher to gain experience out on loan.

BEN GLADWIN – Club remain in talks

Is yet to make a league start for Rovers since his arrival from QPR in the summer of 2017 for an undisclosed fee.

The first of two long-term knee injuries came in November 2017, and despite returning to the fold for the pre-season training in camp in Austria last summer, didn’t appear in any of the close season matches because of a separate injury from which he is still recovering.

Started all three of Rovers’ Checkatrade Trophy matches last season, as well as the league cup defeat to Burnley and FA Cup win over Barnet.

PAUL DOWNING - Released

Made just three Championship appearances, as well as a goalscoring one in the Carabao Cup against Lincoln, before being allowed to leave on loan in January, just a week before Rovers had an injury crisis in defence.

The 27-year-old is currently at Doncaster where he will be looking to win a second successive promotion from League One.

Downing arrived at Rovers in the summer of 2017, initially on loan, before that was made permanent in January 2018. Has found opportunities hard to come by since, and struggled to even make the matchday squad before his departure on loan.

Served Rovers well, and it was for that reason that Mowbray was keen to grant his wish to go and play games again, which he has done at the Keepmoat Stadium with 17 League One starts.

Rovers opted against triggering the 12 month option in his contract and will leave at the end of next month.

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